Buckle



Feb. 13', 1934. p HElNZE 1,947,394

BUCKLE Filed July 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. HEINZE Feb. 13, 1934.

BUCKLE Filed July 3, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES BUCKLE Paul Heinze, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Parva Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 1933.

Serial No. 678,783

'l Claims. (Cl. 24-73) This invention relates to buckles and has special reference to devices adapted to be mounted on straps, bands, and the like, for the support of garments or other objects on the person.

More particularly, .this invention relates to buckles comprising relatively slidable frame members for permitting the passage of a strap, band, or the like, therethrough, the frame members cooperating tov lock the strap in'various adjusted positions when tension is applied to the strap. One of the frame members is preferably provided with a tongue overlying a portion of theauxiliary frame member in one position thereof for frictionally engaging a strap threaded therebetween, the'auxiliary frame member having preferably a raised portion fordistorting the strap to cause added frictional resistance and for limiting the movement of the tongue in one direction whereby the strap is clamped by such limiting action in an adjustable position between the tongue and the projecting means when tension is had on the strap.

The device of the present invention may be adapted for use in various connections and as a matter of fact the construction may be employed with slight variations not departing from the spirit of the invention universally where detachablev connections are desired. Hereafter, and in the drawings, the device will be described and shown in its association with a strap of an overall, one side of one of the frame members being provided with an outwardly extending button-retaining loop formed therein for detachable engagement with a button on the bib of an overall, the shoulder strap of the overall being adjustably clamped between the frame members. It is, of course,y to be understood that various other uses may be mentioned and this invention is not to be limited to a single specific use.

Applicant contemplates the provision of a buckle formed of two cooperating frame members for association with a strap, the frame members cooperating to grip efficiently and at the same time to permit of a ready adjustment. The strap is held positively against slipping when under tension without the necessity of providing sharp prongs or such like gripping members and when it is desired to adjust the strap the same is readily and conveniently drawn in either directionwith a maximum of ease. A

The buckle may preferably comprise a main buckle ira-me having upper, lower and side bars with an outwardly extending button-retaining loop formed in the lower bar; An auxiliary frame is slidably `mounted Von .the .main Vframe .and includes a bar having a recess facing the buttonretaining loop so as to provide clearance for the insertion of a button into the loop after the strap is threaded between the main and auxiliary buckle frames. The free end of the strap that is clamped between the cooperating frame members extends between the bar of the auxiliaryl frame and the lower bar of the main frame and is held against displacement by the auxiliary frame to provide a flexible yielding strap portion at the recess to permit the button to be forced into and out of the buttoniloop only'by the yielding of the strap in the recess.

In order to prevent accidental disengagement A of the button from the loop, the lower bar of the main frame is provided with portions preferably integraily formed adjacent the loop which are displaced out of the plane thereof to deflect the button to a position over the auxiliary frame. These4 portions, as shown in the drawings, are small humps or portions preferably raised .Out of the material of the frame forwardly from the face of the buckle. The shank of the button lits in the loop below the plane of these raised portions and the head of the button rides thereover and the raised portions thereby direct the head upwardly as the button moves upwardly to obviate accidental disengagement of the button from the loop.

Also, applicant contemplates to provide portions in the main frame in proximity to the opening of the loop displaced out of the plane of the frame or rearwardly therefrom to facilitate the introduction of a button into engagement with the loop.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members of the type hereinabove described in which the strap threaded therethrough may be conveniently and easily adjusted in either direction. Y Another object of this invention is to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members of the character indicated above with means for facilitating the introduction of a button o r the like into engagement with a loop portion of one of the frame members.

A further object of this invention is to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members as hereinabove pointed out in which one of the frame members will be so constructed as to prevent under all conditions accidental disengagement of a button from a loop of one of the frame members.

vA still further object of this invention is `to together with provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members in which a tongue is formed on one of the trames for clamping engagement with the strap acting in connection with a tongue limiting portion on the other frame member.

Again, it is the object of this invention to provide a Vbuckle having relatively slidable frame members in which the construction inay be relatively7 inexpensive to manufacture, may be durable and may simple in construction, in threading, and in manipulation.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken the accompanying drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a face View of a buckle constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention in which buckle is shown as connecting a portion of a strap with a fragmentary portion of the bib in overall;

Fig. 2 is ar view similar to Figure 1 showing a changed position of the cooperating members oi the buckle;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of Figure l;

Fig. Il is a central Vertical sectional view oi the buckle shown in Figure 1 with the frame members in unclarnped position and with a portion of the strap in condition for adjustment;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure l;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; Y Y

Fig. is a perspective View or" one of the frame members of the buckle construction;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the other oi the frame iner bers of the buckle construction;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the france members shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in assembled relation;

Fig. 1l) is a rear View of Figure 1;

Fig. 1l is a face view of a buckle oa modifled forni oi construction employing the teachings of invention, showing a portion ci a strap threaded therethrough and in engagement with a button on a bib of an overall;

Fig. 12 is a rear View of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational View of Fig. 11;

Fig. lll is a central vertical sectional View taken on the line lll-lll of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 15 is a perspective vieii7 of one of the `irarnes oi the buckle construction shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view oi the other :trarne member ci the buckle construction shown in Fig. li; and

Fig. 1'? is a perspective View of a niodiiied forni of frame inernber which may be substituted for association with the frame member shown in Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 1G, inclusive, thereof, the construction therein shown comprises a pair of vtraine inenibers 20 and 21, the trarne member 2G being substantially rectangular having sides 22 and 23 and ends 2e and 25 defining a substantially rectangularly shaped opening 26, as shown more particularly in Fig. 'l of the drawings. The traine rnernber 21 is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a bar 2'? having a longitudinal slot 2S adjacent one side thereoi and a pair of spaced odset portions 29 extending from the other side thereof, as shown more particularly in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The ends of the bar are formed into channel members 30 and 3l to provide recesses 32 and 33, respectively. The bar 27 is further provided with a raised portion 34 extending longitudinally thereof and ad- `iacent to the slot 28.

The above described frame members forming the buckle may be conveniently stamped from sheet metal or otherwise formed of a unitary construction so that the commercial production of the buckle is thus facilitated. During the formation of the buckle, the rear face of the frame 20 is preferably dished, as shown more particularly in the cross sectional views thereof with the result that the buckle frame is strengthened and relatively light gage metal may be utilized while still producing a buckle of the desired strength. The dishing ci the rear face of the buckle frame renders the frame substantially channel-shaped or arci-form in cross section, the front faces of the several parts of the frame being substantially convex in shape and the rear faces thereof being concave.

The side 23 of the frame 20 is shaped to dene a loop 35, the button receiving opening 36 oi which has a passage leading to the rectangular opening or slot 28 of the frame. The bar 23 is preferably 'displaced forwardly out of the plane of the remainder of the frame for ease and convenience in adjusting the strap through the buckle and for assisting in permitting the ready disengagement of the button from the buttonretaining loop. Portions of the loop 35 defining the opening 36 into the loop are offset upwardly or forwardly with reference to the remainder of the face of the loop. These portions are indicated by theV reference character 37 and are provided for reasons which will hereinafter be more fully explained. Further, adjacent each displaced portion 37, the bar or side 23 of the frame is provided with displaced portions 38, these portions being displaced to extend in a direction rearwardly or the loop 35. The bar or side 22 is provided preferably with a substantially wedge-shaped tongue 39 extending into the interior or the main frame 20 or into the opening 25 for cooperation with the raised portion 3e o the auxiliary frame member 21, the contour of the raised portion 34 conforming in outline substantially to the outline of the wedgeshaped member 39.

The ira-ine members 20 and 21 when in an assembled condition cooperate to clamp a strap 40 in various adjusted positions, the ends 24 and 25 of the main frame 20 having slidable movement in the passageways 32 and 33, respectively, fornied in the channel members 3o and 3l of the auxiliary frame 21. The channel members 30 and 31 are ci such a cross section as to engagethe ends 2s and 25 to hold the members snugly yet in a condition such that they may have relative movement. The tongue 39 of the main frame 2G over-lies a portion of the auxiliary frame 21 between the slot 28 and the raised portion 34, the latter limiting the movement of the tongue in one direction.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that the strap 4) is threaded through the longitudinal slot 28 of the auxiliary e 21 from the rear thereof over the raised portion 34 and thence beneath the tongue 39 of theY main frarne 20, the free end of the strap extending between the bar 27 of the auxiliary frame 21 and the lower bar 23 of the main frame 26. In the position oi the framemeinbers shown in Fig. 4, the strap is free to be adjusted in either direction.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 5, it will be noted thatthe relativepositions of the frame members has been changed and that the strap 40 is pinched between the tongue 39 of the main frame member 20 and the bar 27 of the auxiliary frame member 21. Further, it will be noted that the edge of the tongue 39 has clamped the strap against the raised portion 34 so that the strap 40 is held in a fixed relation with reference to the buckle. Also, by reference to Fig. 9 of the drawings, it will be noted that further frictional resistance is obtained in the strap 40 by reason of the non-uniformity of the height of the raised portion 34, the latter having preferably a depressed portion centrally thereof. This, of course, contemplates a distortion of the strap.

A garment, such, for example, as an overall bib 41 has fixed thereto the shank 42 of a button 43. VThis button is adapted to be engaged with the loop 35 of the main frame 20 by positioning the reduced shank 42 of the `button in the opening 36 of the loop, the opening 36 and the passage between the opening and the slot 26 being of sufficient width to permit the shank of the button to pass therethrough and the slot 26 being of sulicient width to receive the button head.

In use the strap 40 will be threadedly engaged between the frames of the buckle in the manner previously described and the button will be engaged with the loop 35. The introduction of the button into engagement with the loop is facilitated by virtue` of the fact that the side 23 of the frame 20 is provided with depressed portions 38 which are adaptedto engage the peripheral edge of the button to direct the same forwardly through the slot or opening 26 to position where the shank of the button passes through the passageand is engaged in the opening 36 with the underneath head of the button engaging the front face of the loop 35.

As long as there is a relative pull between the strap and the button, the button will remain in the lower end of the opening 20. If, however, this relative pull should 'be relieved and the button should slip upwardly in the loop, the depressed portions 37 of the loop will deflect the button forwardly over the strap 40 on the auxiliary frame instead of tending to direct the button outwardly of the slot. Thus, the button may not become accidentally disengaged from the button loop. i When, however, it is desired to disengage the button from the loop the button may be tiltedV to engage the portion of the strap extended between the lower edge of the bar 2'7 of the auxiliary Vframe 21 and the bar 23 of the main vframe 20. The strap is held against displacement normally by the bar 27 of the auxiliary frame 21, and particularly the oiset portions 29 thereof, although, however, the recess 44 provided by the offset portions 29 permits the strap to yield at the recess under manual pressureso that the button may be forced against this flexible yielding portion and out of the button loop. The condition of the button as it is forced out of the loop against the yielding of the strap in the recess 44 is shown more particularly in Fig. 6.

By reason of the extending' offset portions 29 forming a substantially semi-circular recess 44 therebetween and the strap being positioned as it is adjacent the auxiliary frame, a means for yieldably maintaining the button in engagement with the loop is constituted. Thus, it becomes necessary to displace the material of the strap held in position by the extended offset portions into the recess therebetween in order to effect a disengagement of the button from the loop with the result that that portion adjacent the recess constitutes in eifect a resilient or compressible cushion for maintaining the button in engaged position. The recess 44 is preferably cut on a definite arc to conform substantially to the curvature of the edge of the button adapted to bev engaged in the buckle loop. This recess provides clearance to permit the passage of the edge of the button rearwardly to a disengaged position.

The offset portions 29 holding the strap, as they do, against the lower bar 23 of the main frame (as shown more particularly in Fig. 2) substantially close the opening 36 into the loop 35 and permit of the adaptation of buttons of different sizes.

It has been pointed out that the tongue 39 is preferably of a wedge-shape. This, of course, is not necessarily so and it is not intended here to indicate that this is anything but a preferred construction. However, in the adaptation of this buckle construction to a garment, such as an overall, it is pointed out that at least one edge of the overall strap is ordinarily sewed together, the strap being formed of a doubled piece of material. In order to prevent a rough edge on the strap, the edges of the strap are turned in prior to being sewed together thereby providing a thickness of four pieces of material at the sewed edge. The entire cross sectional area of the strap, therefore, is not of uniform thickness, although it may be of a uniform thickness in a central portion thereof. Thus, it is desirable to clamp the material at such central portion and in order to accommodate this action, the tongue 39 extends merely over a substantial portion interiorly of the frame and is preferably spaced from the ends thereof. Likewise, the raised portion 34 on the auxiliary frame extends merely centrally 4of its longitudinal length and not over the entire length thereof, it likewise being spaced from the edges. The particular wedge shape offers a separate function in that when clamping the material of the strap, the material is distorted and thus provides a substantially greater amount of friction against slippage.

In the provision of this wedge-shaped tongue member 39 and the cooperating raised portion 34, both of which terminate a substantial distance from each end of their respective frames, there is provision at the ends for the free movement of the edges of thestrap 40. Thus, the particular thickness of the strap at the edges kthereof is of no material consequence to the clamping of the strap as awhole in the buckle since the clamping action is had over the central portion of the strap. Y This clamping action consists in a distortion of the strap, a lateral pinching ci the strap, and a denite clamping of the strap edgeto-edge between the tongue and the raised portion. The clamping action is automatic upon a tension of the strap 40 over the shoulder and against the button 43, a relative pull therebetween inducing the frame 2l to slide upwardly as the button holds the frame 20 against displacement. When it is desired to adjust the strap 40 within the buckle, the ears 30 and 3l may be manually moved downwardly to a position such as is shown in Fig. 4 or the same action may be accomplished by a pull on the free end of the strap 40. By maintaining the two` frames the production oi the buckle.

' on the is shaped to deiino loop in such a position the strap 46 may be moved readily in either direction for adjustment, whereafter tension on the strap 46 exerted against the button 43 will lock the frame members in the position shown in Fig. 5 and in the manner described above.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 11 to 16,Y inclusive, of the drawings, the construction therein shown is a modified forni f the same invention and comprises a pair cf frame ineinbers 45 and 46, the frame 45 being substantially rec.- tangular having sides 4? 48 and ends fila and 48u connecting to define a substantially rectangular-shaped opening 49, as shown more particularly in Fig. 16 of the drawings.

The frame member 46 is likeu ise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a bar 59 having a longitudinal slot 51 adjacent one side there-- of and a pair of spaced oiiset portions 52 extending from the other side thereof to form a recess 53 therebetween, as shown incre particularly in Fig. of the drawings. intermediate the slot 5l. and the spaced offset portions {ii/fare d nosed spaced offset portions 54 extending at right les to the offset portions 52.

The above described main and auxiliary frame members forming the buckle may be convenienti stamped from sheet metal er otherwise formed of a unitary construction in order to facilitate The frame meinbers in this embodiment are shown as being of rectangular cross section instead oi being (lished, as is shown in previously described embodiments. Such a construction may be desirable in light buckles or in those buckles wherein the freine members is relatively light. However, it is to ce understood the construction herein shown may likewise be dished in order to strengthenthe buckle frame and employ relatively light gage metal. The side 48 of the frame butto ceiving opening 56 of which has a passage leading to the rectangular opening slot of the frame.

The bar 48 may p'eferably be displaced forwardly out of the plane of the remainder of the frame for ease and convenience in adjusting the strap through the buckle and for assisting perinitting the ready disengagement of the button from the button-retaining loop. Portions 57 of the loop 55 deiining the opening 56 into the loop are offset upwardly or forwardly with reference to the remainder of the face of the loop. also, adjacent each displaced portion 57, the bar or side 48 of the frame is provided with displaced portions 58, these portions being displaced to extend rearwardly of the loop 55. The upper side 47 is provided with a substantially semicircular tongue 5e extending into the interior of the fraine or into the opening for cooperation with the spaced raised portions 54 of the frame men'i'oer 45, the in the space between overlying the 56.

The frame members and 46 when in an assembled condition cooperate to clamp a strap 60 in various adjusted positions when the cooperating frame members are moved to one position such that the tongue member is spaced from the raised portions 54. in a normal condition of use, the tongue 59 of the fraine 45 overlies a portion of the auxiliary frame 46 between the raised portions 54, the latter limiting the movement of the tongue in its closed clamping position.

The main and auxiliary frame members are held in their cooperating slidable relationship by means of ears 54a extending from the outermost ends ofthe spaced raised portions 54 engaging the front faces of the ends 47a and 48a of the main frame. The underneath faces of the ends 47a and 46a. are engaged by the outer ends of the bar 50 which extend at least the distance of the ears 54a. The main and auxiliary frames may be assembled or disassembled by passing the ears through diagonal corners across the inside of the main frame and then twisting the auxiliary frame to the position above described.

Referring now incre particularly to Fig. i4 of the drawings, it will be noted that the strap is threaded through the longitudinal slot 51 of the frame 46 from the rear thereof and thence over the raised portions 54 of the auxiliary frame 46 and beneath the tongue 59 of the main frame 45, the free end of the strap extending between the bar 5S of the main frame and the spaced olfset portions 52 of the auxiliary frame. In the condition shown in Fig. 14, the strap is clampingly heid against movement in either direction by reason. of the fact that the strap is pinched between the tongue 59 and the bar 50 and the strap is clamped against the edges of the raised portions 5-i by the edge of the tongue 59. Also, a further frictional resistance against slippage of the stre p developed by reason of the distortion oi the strap over the raised offset portions and underneath the tongue.

A garment, such for example, as an overall bib 61 thereto a shank 62 of a button 63. This button is adapted to be engaged with the loop 55 aine 45 by positioning the shank of the tori the opening 56 of the loop, the head of ne button passing through the slot 45 the shank thereof passing through the between the slot 49 and the loop opening 56 thence into the loop opening. When it desired to engage the button in the loop the engagement thereof is facilitated by virtue of the fact the side 48 of the frame member is provided wlth depressed portions 58 at the opening into 'the loop to engage the edge of the head of "he button to direct the saine forwardly to a posiion where the shank of the button is positioned in tile opening 56 with the head of the button v front face ofthe loop 35. The butetween the strap and the button wherebutton will remain in the lower end of 56. if, however, this relative pull elieved and the shani: of the button pwardly in the loop, the forwardly tions 5'? on the face of the loop de- -e button forwardly over the strap on the auxiliary ine so that the button may not become ntally disengaged from the button loop.

Eowever, when it is desired to disengage the button from the loop the button may be tilted and will thus engage a portion of the strap eX- teiidng between the lower edge of the oar 5) and the 58 and loop forced against this portion of the strap which will yield in the recess 53 between the offset portions 52 to a disengaged position. The strap is normally held against displacement by the extended offset projections 52,

however, the recess 53 therebetween perrons .ie to yield in the recess so that the button may be manually forced against such flexible yielding portion.

A buckle of this niodied forni acts in a manner substantially the same as that described with 'sof reference to the previous modification, the offset portions 52 forming a substantially semi-circular recess to provide a means for yieldably maintaining a button in engagement with the loop. Frictonal resistance is aiforded by a distortion of the strap across the raised portions of the auxiliary frame and beneath the tongue of the main frame;

.by a pinching action between the tongue and the bar of the auxiliary frame, and by the edgeto-edge clamping action of the edge cf the tongue on the edge of the raised portions.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 17 of the drawings, the frame member therein shown is substantially similar to that of the frame member shown in Fig. 8 with the exception that in place of a continuous raised portion 34, there is provided spaced raised portions 64. The contours of the raised spaced portions 64 preferably conform to the wedge-shaped outline of the tongue 39 of the frame member shown in Fig. 7 and co-act in substantially the same manner, that is, the tongue 39 overlies the bar 65 and pinches the strap 40 therebetween and the edge Y d of the tongue is urged against the raised portions 26V to clamp the strap therebetween when tension is applied to the strap. Besides the pinching and clamping action on the strap, the strap is distorted by reason of having to pass over the raised portions and in the valley therebetween, it being noted that the raised portion does not extend the full width of the strap so that the side edges of the strap may have no clamping action thereon.-

Further, the frame member shown in Fig. 17 differentiates from that of the frame member shown in Fig. 8 by reason of the provision of ears 66 which, in effect, wraps the strap 40 around the lower edge of the bar to distort the strap still further, it being noted that spaced offset potions 67 are provided for forming a recess 68 aifording head room through which the button may be detached from the buckle. The ears 66 are spaced from the lower edge of the bar 65 and preferably converge to effect a substantial distortion of the strap, the strap passing through the "space 69 afforded by the spacing of the ears 66 from the bar 65. Thus the strap being given a substantially right angular turn after passing over the face of the bar 65 presents a line of fold over the edge of the offset portions 67 which yields against manual manipulation of the button out of the loop, although normally tendingV to guard the button from displacement out ofthe loop.

When it is desired to engage the button from the loop, therefore, the button may be tilted to engage the folded edge of the strap, whereafter, by reason of the recess 68 provided between the offset portions 67, the strap is permitted to yield at the recess to become disengaged from the loop. The provision of ears 66, therefore, tends to provide a line of fold of the strap for yieldably maintaining the button in engagement with the loop and it becomes necessary in engaging the button from the loop to displace the folded por- 'Ltion of the strap into the recess, which latter is preferably cut to define an arc to conform substantially to the curvature of the edge of the button, thus providing clearance for the button rearwardly to disengaged position.

The buckle frame shown in Fig. 17 may be used interchangeably with the buckle frame 21 of Fig. 8 to cooperate with the frame member 20 shown in Fig. 7.

While several embodiments of this invention Aare herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modiiications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the 'art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames having an outwardly extending button-retaining loop having a passage leading to the slot in the interior of the frame for receiving a button acting to support a garment or other article, said passage and slot being of sufficient width to permit said button to pass through said slot and the shank thereof into said loop and the other cross bar of said frame engaging said strap, a cross bar on the other of said frame members adjacent said loop for substantially closing said passage thereinto, said last mentioned cross bar having a recess facing said button-retaining loop to provide head room for the insertion of a button into said loop and cooperating with said strap engaging cross bar of said rst mentioned frame to clamp said strap in adjusted positions upon the tensioning of said strap, the free end of said strap extending in front of said recess and behind said loop opening to provide a flexible yielding strap portion at said recess to permit the button to be forced into or out of the button loop only by the yielding of said strap in said recess.

2. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strapY threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames having an outwardly extending button-retaining loop having a passage leading to the slot in the interior of the frame for receiving a button acting to support a garment or other article, said passage and slot being of sufficient width to permit said button to pass through said slot and shank thereof into said loop and the other cross bar of said frame engaging said strap, a cross bar on the other of said frame members adjacent said loop for substantially closing said passage thereinto, said last mentioned cross bar having spaced offset portions forming a recess facing said button-retaining loop to provide head room for the insertion of a button into said loop and cooperating with said strap engaging cross bar of said first mentioned frame to clamp said strap in adjusted positions upon the tensioning of said strap, the free end of said strap extending in front of said recess and behind said loop passage to provide a iiexible yielding strap portion at said recess to permit the button to be forced into or out of the button loop only by the yielding of said strap in said recess.

3. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames having an outwardly extending button-retaining loop having a passage leading to the slot inthe interior of the frame for receiving a button acting to support a garment or other article and the other cross bar engaging said strap, said passage and slot being of sucient width to permit said button to pass through said slot and the shank thereof into said loop, and a cross bar of the other of said frames cooperating with said strap engaging bar of said first mentioned frame to clamp said strap in adjusted positions therebetween automatically upon the tensioning of said strap.

4, A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slide-bly engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames having an outwardly extending button-retaining loop having a passage leading to the slot in the interior of the frame for receiving a button acting to support a garment or other article and the other cross bar engaging said strap, said passage and slot being of sufcient width to permit said button to pass through said slot and the shank thereof into said loop, a cross bar of the other of said frames overlying said strap engaging bar of said rst mentioned frame and cooperating therewith to clamp said strap in adjusted positions between the opposed faces thereof upon the tensioning of said strap, and means on one of said frame members for positively limiting the increment between said frame members when said cooperating cross bars occupy a clamped position..

5. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames having an outwardly extending button-retaining ioop having a passage leading to the slot in the interior of the frame for receiving a button acting to support a garment or other article and the other cross bar engaging said strap, said passage and slot being of sufficient width to permit said button to pass through said slot and the shank thereof into said loop, a cross bar of the other of said frames ovelying said strap engaging bar of said rst mentioned frame and cooperating therewith to clamp said strap in adjusted positions between the opposed faces thereof upon the tensioning of said strap, one of said cooperating cross bars having a longitudinally extending raised portion extending across the path of the other of said cooperating cross bars for positively limiting the movement therebetween when said strap is urged against said raised portion by the edge of said cooperating cross bar.

6. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, a cross oar of one of said frames acting to support a garment or other article and the other cross bar having a substantially wedge-shaped tongue eX- tending into the interior of said frame, a cross bar of the other of said frames overlying said tongue and cooperating therewith to clamp said strap in adjusted positions between the opposed faces thereof upon the tensioning of said strap, and a raised portion on said last mentioned cross bar conforming substantially to the outline of said tongue and positioned in the path for limiting the movement thereof when said strap is urged against said raised portion by the edge of said tongue.

7. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining a slot for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames having an outwardly extending button-retaining loop having a 'passage leading to the slot in the interior of the frame for receiving a button acting to support a garment or other article, said passage and slot being of suiiicient width to permit said button to pass through said slot and the shank thereof into said loop, a cross bar on the other of said frames having a recess facing said button-retainiG loop to provide head room for the insertion lof the button into said loop and a raised portion extending inwardly from adjacent the outer edges of said bar in a spaced relation to the lower edge thereof, said frames cooperating to clamp said strap in adjusted positions, the free end of said strap extending through the space between said raised portion and the lower edge of said recessed bar, said raised portion effecting a line of fold of said strap on said recessed bar to provide a flexible yielding strap portion at said recess to permit the button to be forced into or out of the button loop only by the yielding of said strap in said recess.

PAUL HEINZE. 

